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Situated not far from the capital city of Amman, Mount Nebo and Madaba are perfect stops for a day trip. We hadn’t initially planned on going to either location but we wound up adding them to our itinerary before heading to the airport for our flight home.
Starting at Mount Nebo, where Moses is believed to have seen the Promised Land, we took in views of the Jordan Valley and beyond.
From there, we continued to Madaba, the “Mosaic City”, where we were stunned by the vibrancy of ancient mosaics.
Together, these sites made for a wonderful final day.
Mount Nebo
Our first stop of the day after leaving our accommodation by the Dead Sea was Mount Nebo. We parked up at the visitors car park and wandered across to the entrance and paid 3 JOD each for entry to the site.
While many might expect such a holy site to be serene, a quiet place for reflection, it was quite the opposite! The car park was chaotic, with police directing traffic, and the ticket booth and entry gate were bustling with visitors.
The views were spectacular; there was a slight haze so we couldn’t see all that far, but it was definitely a site to behold.
The Memorial Church of Moses on the site has some beautiful mosaics which you can admire from the elevated walkways around the church. The one shown below depicts clergymen and hunting trips, and is believed to have been completed in 531 CE.
Also on the site is the Abu Bado to commemorate the life and death of Moses, as well as a bronze serpentine cross designed by Giovanni Fantoni to symbolise the snake of Moses in the wild, and the cross upon which Christ was crucified.
Madaba
Madaba is a city in Jordan, best known for its Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics which are incredibly well-preserved.
We opted to follow the walking route set out in Lonely Planet’s Jordan guide – a 3km walk featuring ten stops (although three are restaurants), showcasing Madaba’s museums and mosaics.
Our Experience
We began at Archaeological Park I, an open-air site featuring some of Madaba’s most beautiful mosaics. Highlights of the site include the Church of the Virgin Mary and Hippolytus Hall, both of which are sheltered to help preserve the colourful tiles.
Just down the street is Archaeological Park II, a smaller park with ongoing restoration, and still a wealth of mosaics and ancient streets and walls on offer.
Next up was St. George’s Church to view the famous Madaba Map, a mosaic dating back to the 6th-century which depicts the Holy Land. While it was fascinating to see such an ancient piece of history, be prepared for crowds – it’s a popular stop for visitors!
There is a lot to see at the Church of the Beheading of St John the Baptist. To begin with, there is the shrine devoted to the beheading which has mosaics. Beyond this, you can climb the bell tower for panoramic views across the city or head underground to a small museum that houses a 3,000-year-old well.
Our best experience was at the Madaba Museum (despite me slipping and falling on my way there). We were personally shown around by a staff member who used a spray bottle of water to bring the mosaics to life – it was a fantastic experience.
There are so many mosaics to see, we called in to every place apart from Church of the Apostles, but we were feeling tired and hungry by that point, so we didn’t venture that far down.
Prices
We had to pay 1 JOD each for entrance to the Church of the Beheading of St John the Baptist and for St George’s Church – everything else was covered by our Jordan Pass. Without the Jordan Pass, the cost is around 3 JOD.
Parking in Madaba
Madaba offers a variety of parking options, including a free car park at the Visitor Centre. However, availability can depend on when you arrive. We ended up finding a spot on the street, which worked out well for us.
Our Verdict
Mount Nebo and Madaba are both worth a visit. With their stunning mosaics and rich history, these sites offer a unique glimpse into Jordan’s cultural and biblical heritage. The mosaics alone make the trip worthwhile!
